In 2019, Congress established the NSCAI, led by former Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt, and former Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work, to develop recommendations for Congress and the president on “artificial intelligence, machine learning, and associated technologies to comprehensively address the national security and defense needs of the United States.”
The Commission issued its final report in 2021, including 45 recommendations that presented an integrated national strategy to reorient and strategically prepare America for a new age of technological competition. With Honor and Members of the For Country Caucus were instrumental in passing several of these provisions, including establishing the Defense Department’s Cyber and Digital Service Academy — an effort led by Rep. and For Country Caucus Member Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and then-Rep. and Caucus Member Mike Gallagher (R-WI) — and creating a grant program for U.S. businesses to engage in international standards-setting organizations. The NSCAI continues its work through its successor organization, the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP).
Dr. Henry Kissinger
Secretary of State, With Honor Action Advisory BoardIn 2018, Congress established the CSC to develop a whole-of-government strategy to protect the United States from major cyber attacks — an increasingly important matter in light of the expansion of digital currencies and major breaches like the SolarWinds hack. Modeled after President Eisenhower’s Project Solarium, the Commission was co-chaired by Gallagher and Senator Angus King (I-ME) and its work continues through its successor organization, the Cyberspace Solarium Commission 2.0 (CSC 2.0).
CSC issued 82 recommendations in its March 2020 final report, and CSC 2.0 has issued another 34. Of the 116 recommendations in total, the government so far has implemented or nearly implemented 78 and is on track to implement another 26.
Working alongside Members of the For Country Caucus, With Honor helped pass nearly two dozen bills to strengthen America’s national cybersecurity, including some of the strongest proposals to reorient the federal government to develop a stronger cybersecurity infrastructure. They include establishing the Office of the National Cyber Director, passing the Cyber Diplomacy Act (which established the first-ever U.S. Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy).
Creating a Joint Cyber Planning Office to coordinate public and private sector entities, and passing the Defending America’s 5G Future Act to defend against malign tech companies.
With Honor supported then Rep. and For Country Caucus Vice-Chair Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and then-Rep. and Caucus Member Gallagher in their leadership advancing the bipartisan, bicameral Endless Frontier Act, included in the historic CHIPS and Science Act that, invested roughly $280 billion into American semiconductor manufacturing. With Honor secured key provisions to provide scholarships for students studying digital technology and cybersecurity, including the Dr. David Satcher Cybersecurity Education Grant Program to support cybersecurity education at minority-serving or historically black institutions of higher education and the Federal Cyber Scholarship-for-Service Program. Also, to protect American research and empower organizations to engage globally, With Honor supported the establishment of the Office of Research Security and Policy in the National Science Foundation.
By fully implementing the CSC and the NSCAI recommendations, the United States has the potential to harness immense opportunities, minimize risk, and ensure continued American technological superiority. With Honor’s advocacy work played a key role in encouraging Congress and federal agencies to incorporate these recommendations.